Travelling by train with children can be one of the easiest ways to get around Britain.
Nobody needs to concentrate on driving. Parents can talk to the children, play games, eat together and enjoy the scenery. Children can move around occasionally, and arriving in the centre of a city can remove the hassle of finding somewhere to park.
That's the ideal version.
The alternative involves a toddler who wants to explore the entire train, a five-year-old asking whether you've arrived every three minutes, somebody needing the toilet immediately after leaving the station and an entire family's luggage occupying what feels like half the carriage.
Fortunately, a little preparation can make a big difference.
Whether you're taking the train for a family day out or travelling across the country for a holiday, here is how to survive a long train journey with kids.
Book Ahead When You Can
Spontaneous train journeys can be fun, but longer trips with children are usually easier when you've planned ahead.
Check your route before travelling and look carefully at any changes.
A direct three-hour journey may be considerably easier with young children than a two-and-a-half-hour journey involving several connections.
Every change means gathering children, bags, pushchairs and coats before moving through another station.
When comparing routes, don't automatically choose the quickest.
Sometimes the simplest journey is the better family option.
Reserve Seats Where Possible
For longer journeys, having seats together can make an enormous difference.
Reservation arrangements vary between operators and services, so check when booking.
If reservations are available, try to secure seats for your family.
A table can be useful because children have somewhere to draw, play games and eat.
However, tables aren't always essential.
For toddlers who enjoy grabbing absolutely everything within reach, ordinary airline-style seats may occasionally be easier.
Think about how your family actually travels.
Choose Seats Carefully
Where you sit can influence the entire journey.
Being relatively close to a toilet can be useful with younger children.
However, sitting directly beside a busy toilet door may mean constant foot traffic.
Families with toddlers might appreciate being near the end of a carriage, where moving in and out can be easier.
Older children may prefer window seats.
If you're travelling with several children, think about who sits beside whom.
Separating siblings who have spent the previous hour arguing may be an excellent piece of journey planning.
Leave Plenty of Time at the Station
Running through a railway station carrying luggage while encouraging a toddler to move faster isn't an enjoyable beginning to a family trip.
Arrive with enough time to find the platform and organise everyone.
At larger stations, reaching the correct platform may involve lifts, escalators or a considerable walk.
If you're travelling with a pushchair, you may need lifts rather than stairs or escalators.
Allow extra time.
It's far better to spend ten minutes waiting on the platform than watch your train leave while you're still trying to reach it.
Explain the Journey to Younger Children
Toddlers and young children often cope better when they know what's happening.
Explain the journey in simple stages.
“We're going to the station.”
“Then we'll get on the train.”
“We'll have our snack.”
“We're staying on the train for a long time.”
“Then we'll get off in London.”
For children who struggle with unfamiliar situations, pictures or a simple visual schedule may help.
Knowing what comes next can reduce anxiety.
Pack One Accessible Journey Bag
Don't put everything into the main suitcase.
Create a smaller bag containing everything you're likely to need during the journey.
Keep it near your seats.
You might include:
water
snacks
wipes
tissues
activities
headphones
spare clothing
nappies
essential medication
chargers.
The last thing you want is to discover the wipes are inside a suitcase underneath five other suitcases at the opposite end of the carriage.
Pack Snacks
Snacks are one of the most useful tools in family travel.
Even when trains have onboard catering, don't rely entirely on it.
Services can change, queues can form and the exact thing your toddler considers acceptable food today may not be available.
Take familiar snacks that aren't too messy.
Fruit, crackers, sandwiches and cereal bars can work well depending on your children's ages.
Avoid anything likely to cover the table, seats and neighbouring passengers in crumbs.
For babies and very young children, choose food appropriate to their age and eating abilities.
Bring Water
Take reusable water bottles.
Long journeys can become uncomfortable if children are thirsty, particularly on warm trains.
Having your own drinks also means you aren't dependent on onboard catering.
Choose bottles that close securely.
A leaking water bottle inside the activity bag can destroy colouring books, spare clothes and electronic devices remarkably efficiently.
Don't Produce All the Entertainment Immediately
This is one of the most useful tricks for long journeys.
Don't show children everything you've brought during the first ten minutes.
Stagger it.
Start by looking out of the window.
Then play a game.
Later, introduce colouring.
Then have a snack.
After that, perhaps use screens.
If you reveal every toy, activity and snack immediately, children can work through the entire supply before you've travelled very far.
Think of entertainment as a series of stages.
Take Sticker Books
Sticker books are excellent train entertainment for younger children.
They're lightweight, relatively quiet and don't require much space.
Reusable sticker books can be particularly useful because children can rearrange the pictures repeatedly.
Choose themes your child already enjoys.
Animals, vehicles, dinosaurs and favourite characters are usually reliable choices.
Keep stickers on the book rather than decorating the train.
Colouring and Drawing
A small colouring book and a few pencils can occupy children for surprisingly long periods.
Pencils are generally easier than felt-tip pens on public transport.
Avoid taking an enormous pencil case containing 60 colours.
Six or eight pencils are usually enough.
For older children, puzzle books, word searches, mazes and activity books can work well.
Magnetic Games
Travel-sized magnetic games are ideal for trains.
The pieces are less likely to disappear under the seats.
Depending on children's ages, consider:
noughts and crosses
draughts
chess
snakes and ladders
magnetic puzzles.
Avoid games containing dozens of tiny loose pieces.
Anything dropped on a moving train can become an unexpected expedition.
Play Games That Need Nothing
Some of the best travel games require no equipment.
Try:
I Spy.
20 Questions.
Would You Rather?
Categories.
The Alphabet Game.
The Memory Game.
Guess the Animal.
Who Am I?
Because you're travelling by train, you can adapt games to the surroundings.
See who can spot another train first.
Count tunnels.
Look for animals.
Find a castle.
Spot a station beginning with a particular letter.
Use the Window
Looking outside is entertainment.
This sounds obvious, but children can become so accustomed to screens that families forget about the view.
Train journeys can pass through countryside children wouldn't normally see.
Look for:
farms
horses
sheep
rivers
bridges
castles
wind turbines
other trains
stations
football grounds.
Turn it into a competition or scavenger hunt.
For younger children, simply pointing things out may be enough.
Download Entertainment Before Leaving
Screens can be extremely useful on long train journeys.
Download programmes, films, games and audiobooks before leaving home.
Don't assume the train's Wi-Fi will be fast enough for streaming.
Mobile coverage can also disappear along parts of the route.
Downloading everything beforehand removes the problem.
Make sure the device itself is fully charged.
Bring Headphones
If children are watching something or playing games with sound, use headphones.
Other passengers don't necessarily want to spend two hours listening to cartoons.
Choose child-appropriate headphones and check the volume.
For younger children, practise wearing them before the journey if they're unfamiliar.
Bring a spare pair if headphones are particularly important to your child's routine.
Take a Portable Charger
Phones and tablets can consume substantial amounts of battery during a long journey.
Some trains provide charging sockets or USB ports, but don't rely on them.
A fully charged power bank provides useful backup.
Make sure you've packed the correct charging cable.
A power bank with the wrong cable has very limited entertainment value.
Use Audiobooks
Audiobooks can provide a break from screens.
Choose a story the whole family might enjoy and listen using headphones or individually where appropriate.
Older children may enjoy following the story while looking out of the window.
Podcasts designed for children can also work well.
Download them before travelling.
Plan Toilet Visits
Children have an impressive ability to announce they urgently need the toilet at the least convenient moment.
Encourage everyone to use the toilet before boarding, particularly if you're travelling with younger children.
Once onboard, identify where the toilet is.
Don't wait until the situation becomes desperate before starting the journey through several moving carriages.
If your train is approaching your station, consider a final toilet visit before everyone begins gathering luggage.
Prepare for Train Toilets
Train toilets can feel unfamiliar to young children.
They're often noisier than home toilets, and automatic doors or flushing systems can surprise toddlers.
Explain what will happen.
Younger children may need help balancing while the train is moving.
Never allow small children to wander through carriages to the toilet alone.
Take wipes or tissues as backup.
Babies and Nappy Changes
If you're travelling with a baby, check the operator's information about onboard changing facilities where possible.
Keep a compact changing kit in your accessible bag.
Include:
nappies
wipes
changing mat
nappy bags
spare clothes.
Don't pack these essentials deep inside your main luggage.
Take more nappies than you expect to need in case of delays.
Bring Spare Clothes
Spare clothes aren't only for babies.
Drinks spill.
Food gets dropped.
Children become travel sick.
Toileting accidents happen.
For younger children, carry a complete change of clothes.
For older children, a spare T-shirt and socks may be enough.
A waterproof or sealable bag is useful for storing wet or dirty clothes.
Dress Children Comfortably
A long train journey isn't the time for uncomfortable outfits.
Use soft, comfortable layers.
Train temperatures can vary, so clothing that can easily be added or removed works well.
A light jumper can be useful even during summer.
Avoid complicated clothing for recently toilet-trained toddlers.
When they announce they need the toilet, speed matters.
Let Children Move Occasionally
One advantage trains have over cars is that passengers can move around when it is safe.
Children don't need to remain completely still for several hours.
A supervised walk to the toilet or through the carriage can provide a useful break.
However, trains move unexpectedly.
Children shouldn't run through carriages or play in aisles.
Keep luggage and toys out of walkways.
Be Considerate of Other Passengers
Children are allowed to exist on trains.
You don't need to spend the entire journey apologising because your toddler occasionally makes noise.
At the same time, basic consideration makes travel easier for everyone.
Try to prevent children kicking seats, repeatedly running through carriages or playing loud electronic games without headphones.
If a baby cries, concentrate on comforting them rather than worrying about everyone else's reaction.
Most passengers understand that babies sometimes cry.
Don't Expect Perfect Behaviour for Hours
A three-year-old isn't designed to sit silently in one seat for four hours.
Set realistic expectations.
Break the journey into manageable sections.
Snack.
Activity.
Window game.
Screen.
Walk to the toilet.
Story.
Another snack.
The variety helps children understand that the journey is progressing.
Handling Toddler Meltdowns
If a toddler becomes overwhelmed, keep your response simple.
Check the obvious things first.
Are they hungry?
Thirsty?
Tired?
Too hot?
Do they need the toilet?
Are they bored?
Sometimes moving to a quieter area isn't possible on a busy train.
In that case, reduce stimulation where you can.
Put away activities, offer comfort and speak calmly.
Don't attempt a long explanation while they're extremely upset.
Travel Sickness Can Happen on Trains Too
Children who experience motion sickness in cars may occasionally feel unwell on trains.
If your child is prone to travel sickness, consider seating where they can look outside and avoid activities that seem to make symptoms worse.
Keep wipes, spare clothes and a suitable bag accessible.
For advice about travel-sickness medicines for children, speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional and follow the product instructions carefully.
Prepare for Delays
Rail journeys don't always run exactly according to plan.
Carry enough food, drinks, nappies and essential supplies to cope with delays.
Keep important medication with you rather than inside luggage that is difficult to access.
If you're making connections, understand what alternatives may be available if the first train is delayed.
Train operator apps and journey-planning services can help provide updated information during disruption.
Be Careful During Connections
Changing trains is often the most stressful part of family rail travel.
Before arriving at the station, gather belongings gradually.
Don't wait until the train stops before suddenly trying to locate four coats, three bags, a tablet and somebody's favourite teddy.
Keep children close while moving through busy stations.
If you're using a pushchair or travelling with significant luggage, lifts may make changing platforms easier than stairs.
Allow plenty of connection time when booking where possible.
Travelling with a Pushchair
A lightweight, easily foldable pushchair can make train travel considerably easier.
Space varies between trains, and you may need to fold it depending on the service and available storage.
Don't block doors, aisles or wheelchair spaces.
If your journey involves several changes, consider how easily you can manage the pushchair while also supervising children and carrying luggage.
Sometimes travelling lighter is worth sacrificing a few non-essential items.
Give Older Children Responsibility
Older children can become useful members of the travel team.
Give them manageable responsibilities.
One child can check the platform number.
Another can carry the snack bag.
An older child might follow the journey on a map.
Teenagers can help monitor departure information or make sure everyone has their belongings before leaving the train.
Responsibility gives them something to do and makes the journey feel less passive.
Make the Journey Part of the Adventure
For children who don't regularly travel by train, the journey itself can be exciting.
Let them look at the departure board.
Find the platform together.
Watch trains arrive.
Look at the countryside.
Follow your progress on a map.
Count stations.
If you're travelling somewhere special, build anticipation by talking about what you'll do when you arrive.
The train doesn't need to be dead time between home and the attraction.
Long Train Journey Packing Checklist
For a longer family train journey, consider taking:
tickets or booking information
water bottles
snacks
packed lunch if needed
wipes
tissues
hand sanitiser
nappies and changing supplies
spare clothes
waterproof bag for dirty clothing
comfort item
sticker or colouring books
pencils
travel games
downloaded films or programmes
audiobooks
headphones
phone and tablet
charging cables
portable charger
essential medication
light jumper or extra layer.
Try to keep everything reasonably compact.
Remember that whatever you bring needs to travel through stations and onto trains with you.
Don't Overpack
It is tempting to prepare for every possible situation.
The problem is that you then need to carry everything.
Travelling with children already involves enough equipment.
Pack the essentials, but think carefully before adding another large bag.
A few well-chosen activities are better than an entire toy cupboard.
One tablet loaded with entertainment can be more practical than ten bulky toys.
The lighter you travel, the easier connections and station changes become.
Arriving Is Part of the Plan
Think beyond the train journey itself.
How far is the attraction from the station?
Will you need another bus?
Can you walk?
Are you arriving around lunchtime?
Will children immediately need food or the toilet?
Planning the first 30 minutes after leaving the train can prevent everyone becoming frustrated just as you reach your destination.
If you're travelling for a family day out, one of the biggest advantages of rail is often arriving close to the attraction without needing to find parking.
Train Travel with Children Can Actually Be Fun
A long train journey with children doesn't have to be something you simply survive.
Unlike driving, parents can participate.
You can play games together.
Read stories.
Have lunch.
Watch the countryside.
Talk about where you're going.
Yes, somebody will probably announce they need the toilet immediately after you've returned from taking their sibling.
A toddler may become bored.
The train may be delayed.
And there's a reasonable chance you'll spend ten minutes searching under the seats for a toy somebody dropped.
But with seats booked where possible, plenty of snacks, a few carefully chosen activities and downloaded entertainment for backup, train travel can become one of the easier ways to take children on adventures around Britain.
And when somebody inevitably asks, “Are we nearly there yet?”
You can point out of the window, start another round of I Spy and remind yourself that at least you don't have to drive.